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Can ADD Medication Cause Tics?
Question: Re: grandchild who will be visiting and has been taking a med for ADD:
My husband and I were advised by our children's former pediatrician (now retired) to speak to his younger partner. We also talked to a child psychologist who guessed the nationality of the mother by describing her behaviors and use of herbal medicines..
We would not be concerned about a med if we did not observe rapid eye movements with head adjustment by this child. Several meds for ADD cause tics. There was no corroboration from the school that this child had attention or social problems...no behavior rating scales from teachers.
We have been trying to positively reinforcing the mother (who has been ill with several diagnoses), making sure that she knows that we will do all that we can to help and that we love her, answering her calls and texts, keeping the communication open, sending her notes of affirmation ....she keeps us informed about latest tests and diagnoses.
Our child asked if we would be "comfortable" giving this grandchild medication during the visit. Why ask? What was the behavior: the child" talked under his breath".
We are not in charge and can only ask for information. We will ask the referred pediatrician here if any symptoms are dangerous and if they are caused by the med.
We would appreciate any feedback from your experiences with children, parents and grandparents!
.
My husband and I were advised by our children's former pediatrician (now retired) to speak to his younger partner. We also talked to a child psychologist who guessed the nationality of the mother by describing her behaviors and use of herbal medicines..
We would not be concerned about a med if we did not observe rapid eye movements with head adjustment by this child. Several meds for ADD cause tics. There was no corroboration from the school that this child had attention or social problems...no behavior rating scales from teachers.
We have been trying to positively reinforcing the mother (who has been ill with several diagnoses), making sure that she knows that we will do all that we can to help and that we love her, answering her calls and texts, keeping the communication open, sending her notes of affirmation ....she keeps us informed about latest tests and diagnoses.
Our child asked if we would be "comfortable" giving this grandchild medication during the visit. Why ask? What was the behavior: the child" talked under his breath".
We are not in charge and can only ask for information. We will ask the referred pediatrician here if any symptoms are dangerous and if they are caused by the med.
We would appreciate any feedback from your experiences with children, parents and grandparents!
.
Brief Answer:
If he did not have the tics before, bring this up to your son.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to hear that this difficulty is continuing.
Since your son is aware that you may not be happy with the medication, this might be a good time to sit down when he is in a good mood and tell him why you are concerned. At this point you may have more information than he has about how ADD is diagnosed and also about the possible side effects of the medication. And that ADD is not for dealing with the boy "talking under his breath".
So consider using this as an opportunity to have a deep discussion about your concerns. You'll have to be careful, because your son is obviously following his wife's lead and may feel you are meddling. But providing him with information as factually and objectively as possible may be received more favorably - especially if he is in a good mood at the time.
If he did not have the tics before, bring this up to your son.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to hear that this difficulty is continuing.
Since your son is aware that you may not be happy with the medication, this might be a good time to sit down when he is in a good mood and tell him why you are concerned. At this point you may have more information than he has about how ADD is diagnosed and also about the possible side effects of the medication. And that ADD is not for dealing with the boy "talking under his breath".
So consider using this as an opportunity to have a deep discussion about your concerns. You'll have to be careful, because your son is obviously following his wife's lead and may feel you are meddling. But providing him with information as factually and objectively as possible may be received more favorably - especially if he is in a good mood at the time.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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